Islamic group reaches out to strangers with flowers

As temperatures topped out in the 10s yesterday in downtown Lawrence, pedestrians on Massachusetts Street were greeted with a vibrant reminder of spring.

Volunteers with Prophet of Mercy, a non-profit Islamic group based in Saudi Arabia, hand out flowers to passersby on Massachusetts Street on Friday afternoon.

About 20 volunteers with Prophet of Mercy, an Islamic nonprofit based in Saudi Arabia, spent the afternoon handing out brightly colored flowers to passers-by.

“We are celebrating our prophet Muhammad,” said Prophet of Mercy member Hussain Albrahen after offering up his bucket of red, purple and yellow carnations to a group entering TCBY & Mrs Fields. “We want to spread knowledge and wisdom about Islam.”

Albrahen, a Saudi native, said he hoped the small gesture of kindness could help clear up misconceptions Americans might have about his religion.

“We want to show the truth of Islam, not what is shown in the media,” Albrahen said.

Fellow volunteer Muhammad Muhammad said the group’s efforts had been warmly received despite the frigid temperatures. Most people smiled when they saw the flowers, he said.

“They all seemed happy,” Muhammad said. “It made us happy, too.”